How to properly care for a cactus at home

From year to year, the main "summer" prints - palm trees, flamingos, tropical flowers - occupy a confident position in the collections of various brands. This year, they were joined by another, less replicated, but rather atmospheric storyline.

Sprawling cactus, which, thanks to its juicy color and charismatic exterior, looks impressive both in everyday life and on warm evenings in bars and clubs. From T-shirts and shirts to pendants, slip-ons and clutches, the editors of Fancy Journal selected 20 of the most remarkable things and objects, all covered with these green plants.

It is not known what is in the head of this gorgeous cat with stunning blue eyes, but in the most serious way he decided to have a snack ... with a cactus.

He, of course, is categorically against! But what about - you grow yourself, you grow up in complete confidence that you are reliably protected from encroachments - and here you are! Something furry, mustachioed and tailed comes and begins to bite the thorns, getting to the juicy pulp!

This is a story and it is very interesting - how will it end?

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Everything you need to know about watering, feeding, replanting and other intricacies of caring for thorns.

Description

Blooming cacti of different varieties.

Cactus is a succulent native to America, Mexico, Peru, Argentina. Contrary to associations with deserts, cacti grow not only there, but also in the jungle, tropical dry and humid forests. They can also be found in the coastal zones of the Black and Mediterranean Seas. In the natural environment, plants reach impressive sizes, and dwarf varieties are grown in home floriculture.

All cacti have a fleshy stem and a dense layer of the epidermis. Since the humidity in the conditions of their natural habitat is limited, cacti are arranged in a special way. To prevent moisture evaporation, instead of leaves, they are covered with thorns, have small hairs, a ribbed stem that protects from the sun, a waxy coating and deep roots.

Cacti in the interior of the room

Cacti look very peculiar and unusual in the interior of an apartment, residential building or office. Recently, a whole trend has appeared in the design of premises, which provides for the design of residential and office rooms with cacti. These amazing plants invariably delight the eye with their decorative appearance and unexpectedly bright and abundant flowering. Red, white, yellow and orange flowers can revive and decorate a strict interior with colorful strokes, as well as dispel the accumulated negative energy.

The variety of types of cacti allows you to harmoniously place plants in the premises of any interior design. Simple and exotic, ordinary and ampelous, thorny and thornless, of various shapes, colors and sizes, cactus plants fit perfectly into the baroque, empire, country and even high-tech styles. To create unusual compositions, you can use natural stones, driftwood and shells, which will emphasize the idea of ​​a designer decorating a room in an eco-style closest to nature.

If there is free space and proper lighting in the office, you can place large and large varieties of cacti, and also beautifully group small flowering species of cactus plants on rocky hills.

In a residential building, single compositions of slow-growing cactus species in original pots and flowerpots are more suitable. Flowering plants can be kept in a miniature indoor greenhouse or in a greenhouse specially equipped with additional lighting.

Cactus plants are also very decorative in an apartment. The simplicity of the content and the multiplicity of types of cacti allows you to place potted flowers not only on any windowsill, but also in hanging pots, as well as equip open balconies and loggias with multi-storey flower stands and fancy-shaped ceramic vases.

Types of cacti

Collecting home cacti is probably endless. Among the variety of varieties, there are specimens of unusual shapes. According to the place of growth, cacti are divided into desert, mountain, from grassy plains, wet or dry forests.

• Desert cacti require bright lighting. The soil for them can be mixed with garden soil. In winter, rest is necessary at a temperature of 6-12 degrees. Echinopsis, woolly espola, Peruvian cereus, astrophytum, prickly pear are grown in apartments.
• Mountain cacti need a drainage layer not only at the bottom of the pot, but also above the ground. There should be no peat in the potting mix. They are very rarely watered. Among them are rebuts, lobivia.
• Cacti from grassy plains do not require bright lighting and grow in heavy soil. They require abundant watering in summer and scarce watering in winter. These include mamillaria.

  

  Two different cacti, grafted together.

• Cacti growing in forests need regular, abundant summer watering and moderate but constant watering during the winter months. In summer, such plants are best taken out into the open air. They can grow in shade and partial shade. They do not always look like cacti - many have no thorns. These include: epiphyllum, ripsalidopsis, zygocactus.

How to choose a soil?

As already noted, all cacti are succulent plants that require a slightly different approach than the more familiar indoor flowers. The same applies to the conditions of keeping and breeding.

They require a loose, slightly acidic, well-drained substrate containing few nutrients. However, young plants are best planted in more nutritious soils.

You can make it easier for yourself and purchase a ready-made soil mixture intended for cactus and succulent plants.

But, experienced cactus growers prefer to prepare substrates on their own, taking into account the needs of their "green pets". And it is also important to take into account which of the species the plant belongs to:

• Soil mixture for desert cacti

It is recommended to take the same amount of turf, leafy soil, peat and coarse pestle.

• Plain cactus soil

For two parts of sod land, you need to take 1 part of leaf humus, peat and coarse sand.

• Soil suitable for large, fast-growing cacti

For representatives of the Cereus family, a soil substrate is more suitable, consisting of turf and leafy soil, taken in equal volumes. Peat is added to the mixture - 0.25 liters per liter of the composition.

• Universal substrate

If it was not possible to find out which species the ward belongs to, then you can prepare a soil mixture for the juveniles according to the following recipe: 2 parts of leafy, turfy land and coarse sand are taken. To them are added ½ part of crushed charcoal and the same amount of brick chips.

It is advisable to pre-disinfect the prepared soil by spilling it with a solution of potassium permanganate or boiling water. If river sand is used, then it is sieved, washed with boiling water and dried.

To give a looser structure, you can add additional components to the substrate: foam balls or small pebbles. Dried crushed eggshells are a beneficial soil nutrient for cacti.

A thick layer of drainage material is placed at the bottom of the pot, occupying up to 50% of the total volume. It can consist of expanded clay, vermiculite, ceramic shards or pieces of foam. Such materials will prevent moisture from stagnating and improve air exchange.

Conditions of detention

Depending on the species, cacti may have different requirements for lighting and watering frequency.

Temperature and lighting

Only forest cacti grow well in partial shade and shade, while the rest need bright lighting for full development. South windows are ideal. Periodically, the cactus must be turned towards the light in different directions so that the trunk does not deform. When kept in the shade, the trunk of the cactus becomes thinner and stretches.

For flowering, cacti need a temperature difference. In the warm season, plants feel good at high temperatures and low humidity, but in winter, they need to be kept at 14-16 degrees. If a cactus hibernates in a warm room, it will not bloom.

Cacti love bright light.

The soil

You can buy ready-made soil for succulents. If you cook it yourself, use leafy soil, river sand, charcoal and some peat. The mixture should be loose and slightly acidic. Do not add clay, as when wet it hardens and interferes with the respiration of the root system, and when it dries it cracks and damages the roots.

Watering

Summer cactus care is about providing fresh air and regular watering. Although the plants are drought-resistant, in hot weather they also need abundant moisture, especially young specimens. Cacti in small containers in the heat need to be watered a little, but every day, in the morning. Very small specimens can be sprayed.

In winter, the soil is not allowed to dry out completely, but cacti are rarely and sparsely watered. Once a month - young plants, and adults - no more than 2 times for the entire dormant period. The colder the air in a room with cacti, the less often they need to be watered. It is impossible to draw up an exact scheme, but in the summer watering is carried out approximately once every 1-2 days, in the fall - once every 7-10 days.

Top dressing

Cacti need fertilization during the period of their active growth. You need to start feeding in the spring, after removing the plant from the dormant period. As soon as sunny warm weather sets in, fertilizers are applied to the soil along with frequent watering. You can buy a ready-made complex for succulents and apply once a week from March to October when watering. You do not need to feed flowering cacti.

Transfer

Home care for cacti includes the annual transplant of young plants. Adult specimens can grow up to 3 years old in the same soil. When transplanting, the cactus is removed from the pot using tongs or in thick gloves. 5 days before this, the earthen lump is stopped to water. Plants do not transplant flowering and planting buds.

Blooming cacti are not transplanted or fertilized.

The pot should be suitable for the size of the plant. If roots have sprouted into the drainage holes, this is not a signal for an immediate transplant. On the contrary, this may indicate that now the cactus will increase its green mass. A narrow but tall pot is suitable for cacti with a deep root system, and varieties that give many children need wider flowerpots.

A drainage layer must be laid on the bottom of the pot - it can be pebbles, expanded clay or brick. You can also use foam balls, but it is better to choose materials that are heavier, for the stability of the pot. To make the soil fit more tightly into the container, periodically tap the walls of the pot when filling. The base of the cactus does not need to be buried. The soil should not reach the edge by 1 cm - this space should be filled with small stones or shells.

Selection of containers and substrate

Before planting plants in a container, you should find out which pots are most convenient for growing cacti. It is worth clarifying that both the volume and dimensions of the container will directly depend on the size and shape of the root system of a particular type of cactus. For example, if the culture has short but branched roots, you will need to purchase a low and wide pot. If the plant has long roots, then you should take a deep and narrow container.

Flowers can be planted in clay or plastic pots. However, it is undesirable to use metal containers.

The shape of the container can be anything you like, but for practicality it is advisable to take pots of a square or rectangular shape. This will save space if you are growing many plants at once.

As for drainage, it is advisable to lay out high-quality material on the bottom of the container. Both small river pebbles and sand with large grains of sand are suitable for growing a flower at home.

The drainage material is laid out in two layers. The first is placed on the bottom of the pot and the second is placed on top of the soil.

The composition of the earth for each plant species will be individual. Soil mixed with lime is suitable for young cacti. For adult flowers, peat must be used. Also, the composition of the earth should include sand, turf and leafy soil.

It is worth noting that in a rather heavy and compacted substrate, the liquid will stagnate, and this can provoke rotting of the roots.

Wintering cacti

Cacti can also winter in the standard conditions of a city apartment, but it will be difficult to achieve flowering at the same time. Budding occurs in winter at low temperatures, so growers go to many tricks to create cool conditions. Reducing watering is also a must in winter.

Less often, cacti begin to be watered from September, bringing the frequency to 2-3 times a month. At the end of October, watering is minimized, the plants are placed in a cool place with a temperature of 6-12 degrees. If you cannot find a suitable wintering place, you can try the following:

• Leave the cacti on the windowsill, but protect from the room with a partition or cardboard boxes open from the side of the window.
• Place the varieties that are most unpretentious to light in the refrigerator. To do this, cacti are placed in boxes and placed on the top shelf of the refrigerator, after waiting for the soil to dry in the pot. The method is resorted to with caution, not placing thermophilic varieties in the refrigerator and moving the boxes away from the back wall. In addition, the lack of light, although not very important during the dormant period, can hinder the development of the buds. Therefore, cacti that grow buds in winter should not be kept in the refrigerator. The method is dubious, but if the cacti cannot bloom in any other way, you can try it on one copy.
• Provide wintering on a glazed loggia. Since on frosty days the temperature there often drops below zero, before that, the cacti are placed in boxes, covered and insulated with any materials, including fabric. Plants overwintering on the loggia are not watered until spring, otherwise the root system will rot.

First, try to organize wintering on the windowsill, protecting the plants from the room and the heat of the radiators. Constantly monitor the temperature - if it falls below normal, insulate the pots by placing foam under them.

Mamillaria and Echinopsis are best tolerated by the cold. With the onset of sunny days in late February-March, cacti begin the growing season. The top of the stem turns green, the plant starts to grow. You can start to water, apply top dressing, provide normal lighting.

How to care for a blooming cactus

When a cactus has kicked out the buds, it's important to just leave it alone. You cannot move or carry the pot in search of a better place.

It is also advisable to postpone fertilization and watering.

Flowering at different thorns lasts from a couple of hours to a couple of weeks. And all this time it is better to just admire them, without changing anything.

Blooming cactus

Cacti bloom differently depending on the variety.

Cacti bloom differently depending on the variety. Some produce a large single flower, others - many small inflorescences with a corolla around the stem or around the entire perimeter. The colors are also varied: cactus flowers are red, yellow, white, pink, purple. Some cacti have flowers on a high stem.

The shape is mostly funnel-shaped. Flowering does not cause allergic reactions. If the cactus does not bloom, but develops normally, the reason can only lie in the wrong content, namely, the lack of proper wintering.

The location of the flower in the container

If one copy is planted, then it should be placed in the middle so that future roots grow evenly, filling the earthen lump. And when the tank is intended for a mix planting, then the size of adult cacti should be taken into account. Larger plants should not shade smaller neighbors and prevent them from growing green mass. To prevent their roots from intertwining, you can use special plastic spacers.

Growing difficulties

Cacti rarely infest pests. The most problems for drought-resistant plants are excessive moisture in both the soil and the environment. Among the most common are late blight, helminthosporiosis, putrefactive diseases, fungal infections, brown spot, anthracnose.

• If the cactus does not grow in spring and summer, this may be due to the stress it has experienced: improper transplantation, lack of light, pest damage, watering with cold water. Cacti can be stunted after a long flowering period.
• Shrinking and shrinking of the stem can be caused by too little watering, especially if the room is hot. If at the same time the tissues are soft, on the contrary, the plant receives too much moisture and rot develops.
• A change in the color of the stem occurs when the conditions of detention change - the rearrangement of the cactus to a new place, the ingress of water on it.
• The cactus sheds buds when growing conditions change, disease or pest infestation.
• Spots and yellowing on the stem are caused by water, direct sunlight, and drafts. A yellowing beginning at the top indicates a lack of nutrients in the soil.

  

  A yellow tip indicates a lack of nutrients.

• The stem cracks when there is an excess of fertilizer in the soil. It is better to underfeed cacti

Diseases of cacti

• Late blight first affects the root collar, then spreads higher. Fabrics become softer and may wrinkle.
• Helminthosporium is a rot that causes twisting and drying of young plants. A cactus can die in a couple of days.
• Rhizoctonia is a wet rot, in which the cactus stalk becomes soft and dark. To avoid diseases, it is necessary to prevent an increase in the level of humidity, disinfect the soil before planting.
• Often cacti are affected by the fungal disease Fusarium. The stem of the cactus falls, changes color, and when removed, a rotten root system is found.
• Anthroknosis - brown spot. It is accompanied by the appearance of brown or brown dry spots with a crust on any part of the stem.

You can fight any rot on the stem by cutting out the damaged areas and sprinkling the cuts with crushed coal, and then treating the cactus with a fungicidal preparation (Kaptan, Topaz, Fundazol, Maxim). If the entire root system has rotted, the plant can only be saved by re-rooting the upper part.

Occasionally, cacti infect viruses. It is difficult to identify them, but they usually manifest themselves in cyclical formations on the stem - ring light spots, specks. You can try to cure the virus with human medications. For example, dissolve a remantadine tablet in a liter of water.

Pests

Cacti are most often affected by nematodes, mealy and root bugs, and ticks.

• Mealybug leaves a fluffy discharge on the plant, so it is sometimes difficult to notice it on hairy cacti. The pest is washed off with a stream of water or collected by hand with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. Additionally, you can treat the cactus with soapy water and spill the soil with a pesticide.
• The root worm settles on the root system and destroys it, contributing to the occurrence of rot. First of all, Echinopsis is struck. You can detect the pest by removing the cactus from the pot - blue cotton balls will be found in the root zone. To fight, you need to rinse the roots with soapy water and dip in a solution of a chemical preparation.

  

  Damage to the root system.

• The nematode causes thickening of the roots, can move freely from one cactus to another, so it can be difficult to identify it. To combat it, you need to re-root the top of the cactus, and discard the roots and earth.
• Red and spider mites love warm rooms with low humidity. They suck the juices from cacti, which is why brown spots form on the trunks. Most of all, parasites love to infect mamillaria, rebutia, chamecereus. In the fight against them, only chemical preparations are effective.

Caring for tropical (forest) inhabitants

Cacti from the tropics are even more warm and moisture-loving plants, prefer the diffused lighting inherent in the evergreen forests of South America. Some varieties grow better in partial shade. Almost all of them are epiphytes with long hanging stems. The peculiarities of such flowers are the formation of aerial roots that trap moisture from air currents and attachment to the bark of shrubs and trees.

There are 4 groups of domesticated forest cacti, the care of which is somewhat different:

• whip-like (genus Heliocereus) - in need of winter watering.

• whip-like, resting in winter - aporocactus, hilocereus, selencerius;

• leafy ones that bloom in the spring-summer period - hatiors, lepismiums, epiphyllums;

• leafy, which bloom in the autumn-winter period - Schumberger (Decembrist) and Ripsalis.

When growing these exotic cacti, it should be borne in mind that if the basic principles of caring for all cacti are similar, then there are still some significant differences.

• Tropical plants are accustomed to high air humidity and need frequent watering during active vegetation, but without waterlogging the soil.
• During the summer heat and the operation of heating devices, it is recommended to spray such specimens, turn on a humidifier or place containers filled with water. Epiphytes are able to receive the missing moisture from the air, but more frequent watering can cause rhizome decay.
• The soil is acidified, poor in organic matter. The consistency is loose, permeable to water.
• Fertilize epiphytes during active growth with special dressings. It is best to use special formulations designed for plants in this group.
• Forest cacti also do not like transplanting, therefore, it is advisable to change their "home" only when necessary - if the roots become cramped or the succulent becomes ill. Before and after transplanting, the flower is not watered for several days. And during the event, you cannot deepen the root collar.
• Some varieties of whip-like cacti need rest in winter at low temperatures. The preferred temperature regime is +12 - +17 degrees, watering stops. A drop in temperature to +7 and below for these cacti threatens freezing and death.
• The rest of succulents blooming in autumn and winter falls in late summer and early autumn. Other types of epiphytes are watered all year round.
• These plants love light, but diffused, it is advisable to shade them from direct sunlight.

Tropical cacti tend to grow strongly, most of them release a large number of shoots.It is recommended to thin them out by cutting off old, damaged or deformed processes. It is best to prune the flower in spring or June.

Reproduction

Cacti propagate using seeds, cuttings, or babies. Rooting of cuttings and babies is carried out identically.

Cuttings

Mother plants often form daughter processes near the stem or directly on it. They must be carefully separated with a sharp, disinfected knife, and then dried for 2 weeks. Also, for reproduction, you can cut off the top, but the cut must be sharpened with a cone, like a pencil.

Cutting by children and tops.

To root the shoots, clean river sand or soil for succulents is used. The stalk is slightly deepened, it is better not to use the props - if they damage the trunk, infection may occur. Only long cuttings that do not hold upright without them can be strengthened with sticks. From above, the container is covered with a transparent bag, glass or glass to increase humidity. Rooting usually takes 2-4 weeks.

Cuttings can also be rooted in water, but if they are lowered, there is a great risk of rotting. Therefore, the shoots are strengthened above the water so that 1-1.5 cm remains between the cutting and the surface. When roots appear, young cacti are planted in the ground.

Seed propagation

This method is long but interesting. Sowing is carried out in March-May, and the seeds of South American species in August. A drainage layer is laid at the bottom of the container (drainage holes are required), and soil for succulents is poured on top. It is compacted a little, after which another layer of the same sifted soil is poured on top, in which grooves are made for seeds with a depth of 2 cm.

The seeds are soaked in warm water the day before sowing. Before sowing, it is drained and the seeds are poured with a manganese solution for 10 minutes. Then they are dried and put into grooves, slightly pressed into the soil. The sowing area is sprinkled with earth and crushed coal.

The first watering is done through the drainage holes. The container is placed in water and waited until the topsoil is moistened. When this happens, the container is removed from the water, covered with glass or transparent material, placed in a warm, bright place (temperature 25-27 during the day and 15-17 at night) for germination.

The topsoil is constantly moistened with a spray bottle. Once a week, the container is immersed in water to soak the entire earthen lump. The seeds will germinate, depending on the variety, from a week to a month. For cultivation, it is better to take seedlings of the same variety, which emerged first - they are more viable.

In order for the cactus to bloom, the conditions of detention must be observed.

Seedlings are taught to open air gradually, airing the greenhouse in the morning and in the evening. In summer, small cacti are watered as the topsoil dries out and once a week - by immersion in water. Cacti dive into separate cups after the appearance of the first thorns, the second time the procedure is carried out in early April, the third - in August. Transplant carefully, without shaking off the soil from the roots.

Seedlings are planted at such a distance from each other, which is equal to their diameter, that is, densely. Immediately after transplanting, the seedlings are protected from direct sun and not watered for 3 days. If a crust develops on the surface of the soil, it is carefully removed with a toothpick or other small stick.

Planting and transplanting a cactus

Consider how to transplant a cactus after purchase. It is better to buy a plant in the spring, since the best time for planting and transplanting is April-May. Carefully remove the seedling of the purchased plant from the pot, clean it from the soil. The roots of the plant need to be held for twenty minutes in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Then dry well. It is better to get rid of the old soil. Lay a layer of soil on the drainage layer, straighten the roots, sprinkle with soil and lightly tamp. Water the plant and wait for the soil to settle slightly, add more soil and a top layer of drainage.Novice flower growers are wondering whether it is necessary to transplant a cactus after purchase? In stores, cacti are most often contained in peat. Without the addition of sod land, peat will retain moisture too much, and this is detrimental to the root system of the plant. Large species of cacti are transplanted every two years, the rest of the plants are transplanted every three years. For cacti at a venerable age, the transplant is carried out with a complete replacement of the soil. When transplanting, the pot is changed to a more voluminous or wider one.

Recommendations

Despite the fact that cacti are drought-resistant and even a beginner grower can cope with growing, it can be difficult to achieve their flowering. But these plants are interesting only for their appearance with thorns. The cost of a cactus depends on its size and variety. Large specimens are very expensive, but everyone can buy a small cactus. For example, common echinopsis can be found in flower shops and greenhouses from 200 rubles, but rare collectible varieties cost several thousand.

Growing problems

The main difficulty that inexperienced growers may encounter is poor plant growth. This can happen for a number of reasons:

• lack of nutrients;
• lack of light;
• use of low temperature water for irrigation;
• frequent change of location;
• violation of the timing of the transplant.

You should also protect cacti from drafts.

Watering

Watering prickly pears should be moderate, like other succulents. The soil in the pot must dry out, otherwise rotting of the roots cannot be avoided. It is recommended to water through the pallet, placing the pot in a container with warm and soft water settled. You can periodically acidify water for irrigation by dissolving several grains of citric acid in one liter of water. The rest of the water from the pan is poured.

If in winter the cactus remains in a warm room, then the watering is slightly reduced. When "wintering" in a cool room, watering is stopped completely, before transferring to a warm room in the spring. Cacti do not need high humidity, so they are not sprayed.

Pests and diseases

Several three main types of pests can affect this type of cactus:

• Mealybug - externally manifests itself in the form of loose secretions, structured like cotton wool. For 10-15 minutes, they are washed with hot water (about 400C), after which they are watered with an insecticide. It can be treated with an alcoholic tincture of calendula or an infusion of garlic, the interval of such treatments is 7-9 days, within a month.
• Red flat mite - when dry rusty marks appear on the green flesh, it can be understood that the cactus has been hit by a tick. The flower is washed with hot water and rubbed with alcohol.
• Scabbard - this pest sucks out juices, the main external sign will be the appearance of yellow spots at first, which then increase in size and the plant dries up completely. Alcohol with soap helps well - 15 grams of liquid soap, 10 ml. alcohol and 1 liter of warm water, moisten a cotton swab or brush in this solution and wipe the entire surface of the succulent.

The most dangerous disease for representatives of the hymnocalycium is rhizome decay. This happens due to excessive moisture, in order to avoid the development of such a pathological process, it is necessary to monitor the humidity indicators. If this has already happened, then the plant is removed from the soil, the root system is slightly dried and again planted in new soil. The frequency of watering is strictly monitored.

What is it - a domestic green hedgehog in a pot: a short description and a succulent or not?

Let's figure out what the name means and which family this plant belongs to. The cactus gets its name from its characteristic thorns.: from other Greek. κάκτος means thorny plant.
The family of dicotyledonous plants Cactaceae (lat. Cactaceae) belongs to the order Carnation. The family includes 150 genera, and the number of species exceeds 3000. Further, the comparative characteristics of succulents and cacti.

Representatives of Cactaceae are perennial succulents with thick, fleshy, almost completely ribbed stems. Succulents (which in Latin means succulentus - succulent) are perennial plants in dry places, the reserves of water that are stored in leaves or stems (cacti - in English Cactus). However, it should be understood that cacti and succulents are not the same thing.

Succulents store water in the fleshy leaves, which the cactus lacks, in the stem and roots. Succulents are not a family or a group, but rather plants, united by a common property - the ability to retain moisture inside. Simply put, succulents are a broader concept.

Cacti are flowering plants. It would be wrong to call it a flower, because a flower is an organ of a plant. However, many types of cacti are in bloom. The plant has a great variety of unusual properties and characteristics. For example, the unique pigment of a flower, a wide variety of shapes and sizes of stems - from tiny two-centimeter balls to the highest plants several meters long.

A distinctive feature of cacti is a special organ of the areola, which is a modified axillary bud with renal scales in the form of hairs or spines.

Cacti have an original flower and fruit structure: they are the tissue of the stem. The flowers and fruits of the plant almost always have buds, and these, in turn, belong to the stem, which is responsible for photosynthesis. The flowers themselves are often solitary, sometimes collected in a racemose inflorescence located on a cephalia - a special ledge.

Cacti are not just green stems covered with thorns. They have a pretty interesting bloom. Sepals smoothly turn into petals, which are white, yellow, pink, purple, red and multi-colored. The flowers are very small, and sometimes their diameter reaches 20 cm.

Berry-like fruits, bright, with many small seeds. Many cacti are edible.

Which cacti are suitable for the home?

For the first experiments, it is better to select cacti that are unpretentious in content and adapted to the conditions of the apartment.

Desert cacti have a beautiful appearance and do not require special care: Acantokalycium, Echinofossulocactus, Gymnocalycium, Mammillaria, Neolloydia, Notocactus, Parody, Telocactus and some others.

Tropical cacti, easy to grow - Disocactus, Hilocereus, Hatiora, Schlumberger, Ripsalis, Lepismium, Epiphyllum. Grows well in indoor conditions and the leafy cactus Pereskia.

ON THE PICTURE: Pereskia - leaf cactus

It is better to buy cacti in specialized stores or from collectors, where the plant was kept in the necessary conditions. You need to buy outwardly healthy specimens. Alarming signs that can mean the presence of infectious diseases or the presence of pests are red stains, dark spots, changes in the color of the stem, its wrinkling. After buying, even a seemingly healthy cactus needs to be kept away from other plants for some time.

Flower photo

Here you can see all the photos of the most beautiful cactus (cactus), in a pot and outdoors:

Origin story: where is his homeland and how does it grow in nature?

Now about where is the homeland of cacti. The first mentions of cacti are found in Spanish newspapers in 1535. Then they began to grow them. Cacti first came to Europe after Columbus's expedition to America. In the 30s of the XVIII in his works, Karl Linnaeus described 22 plant species, which he named Cactus. In this century, there were many descriptions and information about cacti, a fashion for breeding these plants arose. Their country of origin is considered to be South and North America. Where else cacti live, we will tell further.

Cacti are found mainly on this continent, including deserts. In addition, representatives of some species grow in Africa, Mauritius and Madagascar, are found in Australia, India, and in the Mediterranean countries. In general, cacti live on all continents except Antarctica.

Graft

Only chlorophyll-free hymnocalycium needs inoculation. Of course, vaccinations can be used in other cases: if you need to save a decaying seedling or grow rare species of cacti in a short time.

Grafting takes place according to the general rules, as for all cacti: first, healthy growing plants are selected, which are necessary for grafting. Then all instruments are disinfected and sharp cuts are made on the rootstock and scion, after which they are immediately attached, trying to connect the conductive bundles. In this position, they are secured with a bandage, but not too tight and held that way for about a week.

Growing from seeds

Astrophytum cactus: different types of options and examples of home care

Suppliers from Holland bring only certain types of cacti to our country, which is why it is not so easy to get the desired specimen into your collection. Therefore, you should study the information on how to grow a cactus from seeds at home, and start sowing.

Growing cacti from seeds makes it possible to acquire a species you like. For this purpose, you can turn to well-known cactus growers or order seeds from abroad.

Choice of tools

Before you start growing cacti from seeds, you need to prepare all the things you need for this:

• soil for planting;
• potassium permanganate solution, which is diluted to a dark cherry color;
• sowing container, measuring 10x10 cm;
• polyethylene or glass;
• labels on which the plant variety can be indicated.

Choice of capacity

For sowing seeds, plastic bowls with a height of about 7 cm are suitable. Many drainage holes are made in them and placed on a pallet.

Further grooves are made and seeds are sown. If necessary, a label with the name of the variety is glued opposite each row.

Soil options

To sow seeds, you need to choose the right soil. It should be water permeable and low in nutrients. It is their absence in the soil that contributes to the development of the root system.

There are several soil options that will be ideal for growing seeds:

1. The earth of rotten leaves is mixed in equal amounts with coarse sand, plus a third of crushed charcoal.
2. River sand, leaf humus and crushed peat.

It is most reasonable to sow the seeds in the soil in which the cacti will live in the future.

Seeds prepared for planting

The soil for growing seeds must be sterilized. To do this, take a pot of water and put it on the fire. A colander is placed on top, at the bottom of which a cloth is spread and soil is poured. Cover everything and boil for 30 minutes. When the water has cooled, the colander can be removed.

Important! You need to sterilize the soil at least 10 days before sowing. It is during this period that the beneficial microflora is normalized in the soil.

The seeds themselves need to be disinfected. They are placed in a solution of potassium permanganate for 10 to 15 hours.

Opuntia - cactus with "ears"

The clayey Mexican deserts are considered the birthplace of prickly pears. An ancient Aztec legend says that the current Mexico City, the capital of the country, was formed on the site where a huge prickly pear grew, on which an eagle was sitting, eating a snake. It is this scene from the legend that is captured on the coat of arms of the city. Types of desert "thorns".

Opuntia is naturally endowed with serious means of "self-defense": in addition to large noticeable thorns on the shoots, there are tiny glochidia that are practically invisible at first glance - thorns with jagged edges at the end.

Interesting Opuntia is widely used in Mexico! Aboriginal people use it for food. Young shoots are fried, pickled, and sweet fruits are cleaned of glochidia and used in the preparation of dessert dishes. On the island of Malta, fruits are the basis of the national drink - a liqueur called Ambrosia Bajtra.

Flowers emerge from thorny buds and differ not only in color, but also in size. Unfortunately, blooming in the wild, at home, they rarely delight with flowering.This is due to the fact that the buds appear mainly on adults and rather large specimens. However, similar to "cakes", the shoots make the prickly pear cactus already unusual! In the cactus family, this is a very numerous species, it includes more than 190 varieties!

Berger's prickly pear (Opuntia bergeriana) is a tree-like species that grows over a meter in height and blooms with red flowers.

about. bergeriana

Pink-flowered prickly pear (Opuntia rhodantha) amazes with the beauty of bright pink flowers. This variety is winter hardy, therefore it is also found in North America.

about. rhodantha

The mighty prickly pear (Opuntia robusta) lives up to its name, because the diameter of its shoots can vary from 30 to 50 cm.

about. robusta

Opuntia golden, or small-haired (Opuntia microdasys) is a popular species in indoor floriculture, it is distinguished by small needles and hairs, which can be of different colors.

about. microdasys

The white-haired prickly pear (Opuntia leucotricha) is one of the edible species. The shoots are dotted with white bristles, the flowers are usually yellow, and the white fruits are used for food.

about. leucotricha

The main prickly pear (Opuntia basilaris), in addition to its unusual name, boasts a reddish shade of shoots and bright red, or carmine flowers. On the basis of this species, many mini-varieties for indoor floriculture have been bred.

about. basilaris

Shera prickly pear (Opuntia scheerii) is perhaps one of the most beautiful of the genus. Smooth shoots are covered with curved thorns, flowers are in harmony with the olive color of the shoots.

about. scheerii

The pubescent prickly pear (Opuntia tomentosa) is often used as a rootstock (base for a grafted cactus). Rare spines and soft pubescence distinguish it from other species.

about. tomentosa

Opuntia articulatus (Opuntia articulatus) is very original thanks to its unusual form of shoots and huge white spines. It grows only up to 30 cm tall.

about. articulatus

Opuntia subulata (Opuntia subulata) is even more unusual in shape. In indoor floriculture, it is valued for the decorative effect of shoots and thorns.

about. subulata

The cactus is also grown commercially to produce the dye carmine, which is sourced from the bright scarlet fruits of some species. In addition, prickly pear is used in medicine, the beneficial properties of cactus juice make it an excellent antiseptic.

How does it adapt to its environment?

Now about why the cactus grows thorns instead of leaves. To adapt to the habitat, nature has awarded cacti with special grooves, along which water accumulates to the roots and accumulates in them. The spherical shape facilitates low evaporation of moisture. The ribs on the stem prevent cracking.

Thick skin protects the plant from heat, and thorns and villi create a protective shade. In addition, the thorns have the unique ability to attract water droplets electrostatically, as well as protect the plant from hungry animals and promote pollination. The cactus has no leaves so as not to waste precious moisture.

Names and photos of species that can be grown together

Many types of cacti can be grown together at home., here are just a few of them:

Espostoa

Espostoa has soft and silky hairs instead of needles.

Echinocactus gruzoni

These are balls with a diameter of 40 cm. The spines are powerful and transparent yellow.

We offer you to watch a video about Echinocactus gruconi:

We wrote about echinocactus here.

Wall cactus

It should be noted that the peculiarity of the species lies in the presence of a zigzag folding of numerous ribs.

Chamatocactus networkspinus

This cactus has white spines, it is not demanding to care for and is suitable for a beginner.

Gymnocalycium damsey

This is an undemanding plant that, during flowering, is covered with large white flowers. Refers to small, and begins to bloom from an early age.

You can learn more about the hymnocalciums here.

Care procedures

For cacti to grow properly, they must be grown according to their life cycle. Succulents need to provide conditions that allow alternating periods of development and rest. The dormant period usually falls in the winter, then it is necessary to limit watering and lower the temperature to about 12-15 degrees.The wintering temperature differs for different species: frost-resistant cacti can also winter at a temperature of about 5 ° C, thermophilic ones need a temperature higher - even 18 ° C. After a dormant period, cacti must be hardened before returning to their permanent place. The flowering species should set flower buds in about 3-6 weeks. Most cacti bloom in May and June.

We transplant cacti in the spring into pots slightly larger than they have grown so far. We water them only after a few days. We do not fertilize!

Cacti can be attacked by pests such as mealy worms and spider mites. Infected plants should be sprayed with an appropriate chemical. The most common diseases are fungal diseases of the soil.

Benefits and Calorie Information

Cactus fruits are widely used in cooking, because they differ in useful properties (learn more about the fruits and their use here). They have a low calorie content - only 41 kcal per 100 grams. Edible fruits are high in carbohydrates (5.97 g), fat (0.51 g) and protein (0.73 g). Cacti help fight hypertension, diabetes, lower cholesterol levels.

• 
  The drink from the plant Echinocactus Lofofora charges with strength and energy, is effective for neuralgia, convulsions and spasms, has a hemostatic property.

• Opuntia broth has a diuretic effect (read about agave and prickly pears here).
• There is a theory that cactus juice can prevent the formation of cancer cells and the development of oncological diseases.
• Cactus juice is also famous for its ability to fight hangover syndrome (learn about cactus juice and how to prepare it in this article).
• Cactus fruit juice is a powerful antioxidant, has a huge amount of vitamin C, slows down fat oxidation and prevents atherosclerosis. Cactus juice is used to prevent degenerative and age-related diseases.
• The fruits of prickly pear improve blood circulation and have a beneficial effect on the walls of blood vessels, have an antibacterial and wound healing effect, help restore the natural water balance and moisturize the skin.

Learn more about the benefits and dangers of a cactus for humans in this material.

Undesirable consequences

Below are times when the situation could get out of control and you need immediate medical attention. Don't ignore them.

1. The discharge has increased markedly.
2. The redness that was initially spreads further and further.
3. There was severe pain.

Any of these cases is a good reason to visit a doctor. Please try to take this seriously! Remember that the puncture site is considered completely healed only when the redness disappears! Therefore, in no case stop treating the puncture until the redness has passed. Otherwise, you risk getting infected again.

Another word of caution: Saunas, hammams, swimming pools and beaches are banned until the wound heals! Also, do not remove your piercing earrings the first time.

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